Feasibility study on replacing the steam supply to some equipment with condensate water
Thread Content
Sea friends, I dare to ask you all for your approaches to solving complex problems. Should one start by trying things out directly through trial and error, or first analyze the theoretical feasibility? There are simply too many factors to consider in real-world problems, and it’s hardly possible to try different approaches using equipment when one doesn’t have enough experience. :dizzy: The problem I’m facing at the moment is that the feed temperature to the distillation tower is 40°C, while the operating temperature at the bottom of the tower is 55°C ±1. Before any modifications were made, 5 kilograms of steam were required per hour to operate the tower. It is known that the heat exchange area of the reboiler at the bottom of the tower is 11 m²; the steam will be replaced by condensed water at 70–80°C generated in the upstream system. The supply volume of condensate water can be considered infinite. When faced with such a problem, what approach do you use to analyze it? Could you explain in detail how to teach this junior to learn *?*
To address this issue, the first thing to analyze is the heat balance. It is necessary to determine whether the condensate can provide sufficient heat to replace steam in order to meet the temperature requirements for operation at the bottom of the tower. This requires the following steps to be carried out: 1. Determine the steam heat supply amount: Calculate the steam heat supply for the current system based on the amount of steam supplied and the specific enthalpy of the steam. 2. Calculate the heat that can be provided by the condensate water: Determine physical parameters such as the temperature, flow rate, and specific heat capacity of the condensate water entering the system, in order to calculate the heat that can be supplied by it. 3. Heat exchanger efficiency: By considering the heat exchange area and heat transfer coefficient of the reboiler, the heat transfer efficiency of the heat exchanger is evaluated, thereby determining the amount of heat that can actually be transferred to the bottom of the tower. 4. Heat loss calculation: Estimate the potential heat loss during heat transfer based on the insulation conditions of the tower bottom. 5. Conduct a heat balance comparison: Based on the above calculation results, compare whether the heat supply from the original steam heating system and that from the proposed condensate water heating system are sufficient, and whether they can meet the operating temperature requirements of the tower bottom. 6. Economic analysis: If substitution is feasible from a heat balance perspective, an economic analysis is also required, including factors such as costs and payback period. 7. Experimental verification: After the theoretical analysis is completed, small-scale experimental verifications can be carried out if conditions permit, in order to determine the specific parameters and effects in actual operations. In cases where experimental conditions are not available, simulation software can be used to conduct simulations in order to verify the feasibility of using condensate water in place of steam. .
It can be heated with hot water; you can use the hot water provided by your device. As for exactly how much hot water is needed, have the design institute do the calculations for you.
No, at least one of the tube ends of the heat exchanger doesn’t work； The area is not enough either
In terms of heat, it’s feasible; as for flow rate, the throughput needs to be calculated based on the diameter of your company’s equipment
This post was last edited by weilongwu on 2024-2-15 08:50. The idea is good, but technological upgrades cannot be decided arbitrarily; theoretical calculations and economic analyses must be carried out first. Engineering issues and control problems also need to be taken into account. Finally, the actual operating conditions after the upgrade should be compared with the theoretical calculations to determine any design deviations. For reference, here is a comparison of the calculations using the heat transfer area verification method for the two operating conditions (with propylene as the material on the cold side):
First, calculate the heat released by using 5 kilograms of low-pressure steam at a rate of 50 KG/h. Convert this amount of heat into an equivalent value using hot water at 70°C If the heat exchanger area is sufficient, there will be no problem
I just don’t know how to use the heat exchange simulator; there are so many things I need to learn that I don’t know where to start. That’s why I came to the forum to seek advice from those who are more experienced
Using simulation software is actually simple, but it requires a foundation in basic knowledge such as thermodynamics, separation engineering, and principles of chemical engineering. In fact, it’s faster to get started using simulation software in a factory, as it is based on specific problems and allows for comparisons with actual operating conditions. It is recommended to first read books on chemical engineering principles, separation engineering, and thermodynamics, and then practice performing material balance calculations for production units on your own, which will help you get started quickly.
This is the core technical issue; if it cannot be mastered without in-depth study, then what opportunity would there be for professionals? The key points are as follows: 1. Whether thermal balance can be achieved; 2. Whether the heat exchange area is sufficient; 3. Whether the structure of the heat exchanger and the dimensions of its ports can meet the flow requirements